Monthly Archives: August 2015

Whether you’re a first time buyer, or relocating to a new area, searching for a house to buy can be a stressful process. There are many things that have to be considered when purchasing a house, and it can be easy to forget some of the crucial aspects of the property that will affect the quality of your life. Here are 3 important things you’ll want to keep in mind when looking at a potential home for purchase. Neighborhood When looking at new homes for sale, you want to make sure that the surrounding area is a location you can envision yourself in for at least 10 years. NAR’s 2013 Community Preference Survey showed that 78% of home buyers surveyed believed that neighborhood quality is more important than the size of the homes for sale. Take a walk around the neighborhoods where you are looking to buy in, and take note of the conditions of the houses in the neighborhood, what kind of people live there, and if there are any community amenities like a park or library. If you’re unable to visit the neighborhood, utilize tools on the internet to do more research. Ninety-two percent of buyers use the Internet in some way during their home buying process. Bills Owning a home can be expensive. Along with mortgage payments and local taxes, there are other monthly bills that homeowners are accountable for. When looking at homes for sale, keep in mind the other costs that will go into owning the house. For example, large houses will likely have more expensive heating and cooling bills since there is more area to cover. Nine out of 10 buyers say they would rather buy a home with energy-efficient appliances that permanently lower utility bills over a home without those appliances that costs 2 to 3% less. Ask your local Realtors to provide you with the approximate cost of a month of utilities for a more accurate estimation of how much the home will cost you in the long run. Parking Parking can be one of the easiest things to forget when comparing multiple locations. Consider how many cars you will have at the house, and whether or not there is a driveway big enough to fit them all. Even if your house does have a driveway, it’s good to check the status of street parking and if there are any regulations that need to be observed. Tricky parking laws can make it difficult for any friends or relatives who come to visit.

If you’ve been considering buying a house for the first time, the process can seem discouraging. Buying a house is one of the biggest purchases of a person’s life, and first-time home buyers often have no idea how to even begin looking for a house to purchase. If you’re looking to buy a home for the first time and are confused, you’re not alone. About 38% of home buyers were first-time home buyers in 2014, lacking the experience needed to traverse the home buying market. Here are a few things you should know before putting an offer on your first home. The first step in buying a new house is research. Approximately 43% of home buyers believe that the best way to start the home-buying process is looking online for property, and a total of 92% of buyers use the internet in some way during their search. Use the internet to find out about the different neighborhoods you are considering moving into, looking into the average price of a home and taxes. It may also be good to check out the local shops and restaurants, and see if there are any annual events that may affect your decision. Make sure your qualify for a mortgage, and decide which option is the best for you. When shopping for a mortgage, and try to avoid mortgages that don’t offer a fixed interest rate. Consider other expenditures that may need to be made, such as homeowner’s insurance, a security system, moving van, and any renovations that you may have to do when budgeting out your total home purchase amount. If you’re still unsure about the process of home buying and all the steps that are a part of it, consider attending a home buyers workshop. These seminars provide new potential homeowners with a variety of home buyer seminars on topics such as how to get a home loan, managing your finances, and can even give you tips for the future if/when you sell your home.